Gervinho: Didier Drogba inspires Cote d'Ivoire more than anything

Cote d’Ivoire star Gervinho has hailed captain Didier Drogba as one of the most motivated players in the squad. The Elephants have qualified for the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

They remain favourites to win the tournament, but this is not the first time the team has progressed this far only to fail to reach the summit.

Arsenal’s Gervinho, who is yet to score for the Elephants after three games played at the competition, says the whole outfit is conscious of the fact that being the number one team on the continent and a favourite of the 2012 Afcon may not be enough to carry it off.

“In past editions, we were always seen as top favourites but we have won nothing up till now. We are conscious of this image and the failures that have always follow, so we are ready this time to do everything possible to avoid the previous scenarios,” Gervinho told French radio RMC on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old former French Ligue 1 champion with Lille says their greatest motivator within the set up is captain and Chelsea star Drogba, who keeps reminding them of their objective for the 2012 Afcon.

“Drogba has been our great motivator. He never stops reminding us that we are here to win the tournament, no matter the hurdles, no matter the game form and no matter the score margin. His talks and desires have been inspirational and have turned the atmosphere within the team to be very convivial,” he said.

While coach Francois Zahoui is gradually gaining fans and officials’ confidence after he was criticised following Cote d’Ivoire’s poor performance against Sudan in their opener, Gervinho believes the coach has not deviated from his result-oriented style and down-to-earth mentality.

“We have had a number of coaches, coming with their tactics and character, and we tend to cope as much as we can. Zahoui is a guy who’s in quest of results, however it comes. He tells us to win, pick up the three points and advance, no matter how people judge us and our game. He knows how to approach his players with respect and consideration.”

The Elephants will confront competition co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals on Saturday, February 4 in Malabo.